Hexes and X's (Z&C Mysteries, #3) by Kane Zoey & Kane Claire

Author:Kane, Zoey & Kane, Claire [Kane, Zoey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Breezy Reads
Published: 2013-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Claire entered to find her mother dressed and sitting in their room looking perplexed.

“What’s the matter, Mom?”

“Come here. I want to show you something.” Zo lifted the pouch she found in the cesspool. “This pouch used to contain a pink pearl the size of a boulder marble. It has vanished. I know it was in here when I put the pouch into the flower pot and after I cleansed the outside of the pouch. The inside was clean which held the pearl. Now, it is mysteriously gone.”

“Stolen is my guess,” said Claire, adding it up swiftly.

“Yes. That is my conclusion as well. That pearl would be worth plenty.”

“Any ideas on who might have stolen it? When and where did you leave the pearl alone?”

“While getting our shots. And I had the pouch on the bed when I went down to bring up a snack. I thought it would be safe enough because I hadn’t mentioned it, even to you. Yet, we still have what is most valuable above all.” Zo turned the pouch inside out and laid it flat. In black ink it read, “Four more. Follow the finger.”

“Follow the finger tied to the X map? Tell me there is something else for a clue as well, Mom.”

“Following that finger would be like following a coke bottle during Spin The Bottle. I don’t get it either.”

Just in case, they searched for other fingers, anywhere. Fingers in paintings didn’t point; rather, they were to one’s side or folded in laps. The various statues of marble or stone around the old home didn’t hint at anything either. Nothing stood out. There was no Grim Reaper pointing anywhere, and by the time they rested from their work, they wondered if it was all in vain. Perhaps the captain thought it funny to send intruders on a wild goose chase.

*

There was much excitement when Jack was brought down on a stretcher by Deputy Jones and Mr. Kendaloaf. Matilda followed behind, supported by Debbie walking down the stairs. Everyone went to see as soon as a voice called out, “Here they come! Matilda and a man on a stretcher.”

“We have an infirmary back by the kitchen,” Debbie said. “Take Jack there and, Matilda, you can sit at the kitchen table and have a little tea for nerves and strength.” Many followed to hear the details of how they got trapped and injured. Matilda told the story and answered questions until it was concluded the worn out woman needed a break to rest and recover.

“Rescued! You all are rescued!” Slobber swaggered into the kitchen, underscored by a limp. He was wearing a big toothy smile.

“You have front teeth!” Matilda noticed.

“Yes. I was walking by Dr. Drill’s office and he came out and took me by my arm and said he had something for me that he thought would fit. These were suppose to be Albert Ross’s front teeth, but he died last week, so I got ’em.” Slobber smiled an exaggerated front-tooth smile. They were a wee bit horsey-looking, but an improvement no matter what.

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